Igor Štimac named head coach of India 

Igor Štimac (Photo: HNS)

15 May 2019 – Former Croatia international and coach, Igor Štimac (51), has been named head coach of the India national team, All India Football Federation confirmed today. 

AIFF’s Technical Committee met at AIFF Headquarters, the Football House in Dwarka, New Delhi last Thursday to conduct interviews with all the four shortlisted candidates for the post, Hakan Ericson, Albert Roca, Lee Min Sung and Štimac.

Štimac was the only candidate who was in New Delhi in person for the interview. 

Welcoming Mr. Stimac to Indian Football, Mr. Praful Patel, President, All India Football Federation said: “Igor is the right candidate to coach the Blue Tigers. I welcome him on board. Indian Football is going through a transition, and I am confident his vast experience will guide us to higher echelons.”

Mr. Kushal Das, General Secretary, AIFF felt “Indian Football would benefit immensely under Igor Stimac.”

“His credentials as a coach, and experience as a player are sure to add immense value to the players, and the Indian Football ecosystem. The momentum gained needs to be sustained,” Mr. Das said

Štimac was head coach of the Croatian national team for 15 months during the 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign, previously coaching at Hajduk Split, Cibalia, NK Zagreb and Zadar, Iranian club Sepahan and Qatari club Al-Shahania. Štimac was capped 53 times for Croatia as a player.  

India is ranked 101 on the FIFA rankings. His first match in charge is set to be at the Kings Cup in Thailand in June.